The Federal Ombudsman on Friday forwarded a bill on the protection of transgenders' rights, prepared in consultation with several stakeholders, to the Senate's Standing Committee on Human Rights for further deliberation.

However, the committee, despite the Ombudsman's go-ahead, has decided to further consult members of the society on the bill.

Sources told DawnNews that one senator was insistent on including some clauses in bill that will deal with "problems being created by transgenders".

The senator is of the view that the Senate is supposed to "look after the entire society and not only transgenders".

Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani on Friday assured a delegation of transgenders that the Senate will play its role in safeguarding the rights of transgenders.

The bill suggests a three per cent quota for transgenders in connection with their representation on local and national fronts. The bill also seeks to secure a three per cent quota for transgenders in educational institutes and public sector jobs.

The bill secures the right of a separate identity for transgenders on computerised national identity cards, driving licenses and passports. It also ensures the establishment of protection centres and secure homes for transgenders.

The content of the bill also suggests separate lockups in police stations and cells in jails. It also ensures vocational training as well as grants and easy loans to transgenders for small businesses.

It also taps heredity laws and secures a share for transgenders in family properties. As per the bill, female transgenders will receive the share of a female and male transgenders will receive a share as males.

Transgenders will also have full freed to purchase properties and hold gatherings under the bill. The bill also ensures an end to discrimination against transgenders and ensures their rights to go to any recreational, public or religious place.

The bill had been tabled initially by Senator Babar Awan in the upper house of the parliament. Subsequently, the Senate had referred it to its Standing Committee on Human Rights.

The standing committee had taken stakeholders on board for consultations, and later sent the bill to the Federal Ombudsman with directions to further consult stakeholders.